HOLY FRICKIN’ HOLIDAZE I can’t believe 2009 is almost gone. This time last year, I wasn’t even considering moving to LA. And yet here I am now, smack in the middle of the most creative and exciting underground electronic scene in the world!

December is always party season, and this year is no exception. I keep this post updated and added to throughout the month and you can find it by looking in the right-hand column on my main page under “Shilo’s Event Calendar.”

• Dec 2: Low End Theory Family Reunion w/Gaslamp Killer, Daddy Kev, Nobody, Nocando + special guests TBA
• Dec 3: The Do Lab presents Solvent, Michna & Kether at King King
• Dec 3: Respect presents Genr8 & Kuru
• Dec 4: Culprit & Throne of Blood presents DJ Kaos, Soul Clap, TK Disko & Droog @ TS2
• Dec 4: BWOMP presents Dubstep.FM Invades LA w/Dopelabs, HD4000, EMU & SURPRISE GUEST @ TBA
• Dec 4: Nosaj Thing & Low Limit of Lazer Sword @ The Changing Same (San Jose)
• Dec 4: CONTROL @ Avalon w/AC Slater & DJ Craze
• Dec 5: Mark Farina @ Vanguard
• Dec 5: KRS-One @ The Roxy
• Dec 5: Winter Fresh Festival w/Datsik, The Toxic Avenger & much more @ the Pico Rivera Sports Arena

• Dec 9: Low End Theory with Busdriver, Oscar McClure, Bossasaurus, Asura & residents
• Dec 9: Lucent Dossier Experience @ H.Wood (every Wednesday)
• Dec 10: I AM A LASER with Ana Sia and Deru @ Club Nokia Mezzanine Lounge
• Dec 10: Made to Play with Jesse Rose, Riva Starr, Zombie Disco Squad & more @ the Roxy
• Dec 10: Respect w/Everfresh, Whizard B2B Circuit, Machete, MC XYZ @ Dragonfly
• Dec 10: Dopelabs, Them Cargo Pants, Knorsq & Tealong @ The Crosby
• Dec 11: Chicks with Decks: Michele Bass, Imagika, Porter Tinsely & more @ Area 33
• Dec 11: CONTROL @ Avalon w/Etienne de Crecy
• Dec 11: Ewan Pearson & Droog at TS2
• Dec 12: Pantheon pres. Elves and Hos Xmas Party w/Mimosa, Jesse Wright, Porter Tinsley & more @ Area 33
• Dec 12: Gaslamp Killer @ The Echoplex
• Dec 12: Derick Carter, Luke Solomon, John Graham @ Avaland @ Avalon
• Dec 12: Hear 008 1-Year Anniversary w/Mark Henning, Drumcell, Jeremy P. Caulfield @ TBA
• Dec 12: Love Fix w/Mark E Quark, Xavier de Enciso, Alex Villalobos, Victor Carrillo & more @ TBA
• Dec 13: BRAINFEEDER Sessions w/Nosaj Thing Visual Show Premier, Eskmo, Mono/Poly, Gaslamp Killer, Strangeloop, Kutmah, Teebs & more @ the Downtown Independent

• Dec 16: Low End Theory w/Sole & the Skyrider Band, Mono/Poly & residents
• Dec 18: BLVD, Souleye, AdamandEvil, Mid City West @ The Stronghold Building (Venice)
• Dec 18: Out of Asia w/Reid Speed, Gridlock, HD4000 & more @ TBA
• Dec 18: CONTROL @ Avalon w/Armand van Helden
• Dec 18: Obey pres. Brainfeeder & MHD takeover of the Crosby w/SamIYam, Ras G, Tokimonsta & My Hollow Drum (OC)
• Dec 18: Ugly Sweater Party with BOUNCY HOUSE arriving at 5AM
• Dec 19: Sqysh Fysh: A Nightmare Before Xmas w/Knowa Knowone, Pumpkin, Brion Charles & Gabe (BM Art Car fundraiser)
• Dec 19: LA Record Christmas Party with Daedelus, Daddy Kev, Nobody, Take, MatthewDavid & LOTS more @ Bedrock, FREE w/TOY & RSVP here.
• Dec 19: Infected Mushroom @ Avalon. Read my interview with Infected Mushroom
• Dec 20: Winter Solstice Party w/Jega, Deru, Kraddy & Tom Burbank @ Air Conditioned Supper Club in Venice

• Dec 22: Plug Research 2010 w/Daedelus, J.Rocc, Kutmah, surprise guests & more @ Echoplex
• Dec 23: Low End Theory w/Ras G, SamIYam, Lorn, Teebs & residents
• Dec 24: A Kilowatts Kristamas Eve feat. Kilowatts live, Treavor, Brian Saitzyk, Stephan Jacobs, Bartek @ Area 33 (Culver City)
• Dec 25: MERRY CHRISTMAS SMOKE A FATTIE
• Dec 26: Pure Filth presents BASSFACE w/DLX, Flying Lotus, Daedelus, Daddy Kev, 6Blocc, The Professionals, Magi, Remo, Metaphase, Kemst & MC1

• Dec 29: Dubtroit 1-Year Anniversary w/DJ KMO, 12th Planet & more TBA
• Dec 30: Low End Theory w/Tokimonsta, 6Blocc, Mr. Fantastic & residents
• Dec 31: Sea of Dreams in SF w/Glitch Mob, Ozomatli, Bassnectar, Ghostland Observatory, Yard Dogs Road Show, EOTO, Lynx & Janover, Random Rab, Marty Party, Ana Sia, an-ten-nae, David Starfire & more
• Dec 31: Gaslamp Killer, Chromeo & Peanut Butter Wolf @ Club Nokia
• Dec 31: New Year’s Eve 2010 Together As One w/David Guetta, John Digweed, Dubfire, Sander Kleinenberg & more @ Los Angeles Sport Arena
• Dec 31: HARD New Year’s Eve w/Boys Noize, A-Trak, DJ Mehdi, Destructo & more @ The Palladium
• Dec 31: Lunar New Years Eve @ TBA w/Cesare vs. Disorder, Mikael Stavostrand, Acid Circus, Drumcell & more

Aumentando mi latente devoción por DJ Craze, os dejo con un set suyo de no tengo la mínima idea de qué año, pero bueno, la cuestión es que está muy bien:

This is just F’n AMAZING!! I posted two vids its the same one but the one from viemo is up close somewhat slow though anyway check em

Here’s a rundown of some dope CMJ showcases this week, check out the full schedule here. Be sure and cop some tickets, support the artists.

I’ll be in the building for two maybe three of the events listed here. Hit me if you wanna link up, Enjoy!

Today

2DB x illRoots present The Warm Up Hip-Hop Showcase
Santos Party House

Tuesday

Clipse
Hiro Ballroom
Presented by MySpace Music, Socialight & Digiwaxx

 
Southpaw
8:00 – DJ Souljah
9:00 – Jasmine Solano
9:30 – Stalley
10:00 – Mr. Move
10:20 – Trouble Andrew
11:00 – Wiz Kalifa
11:40 – Puba
12:10 – U-God
 
Wednesday

B.B.King’s Blues Bar & Grill
Better Recognize
Presented by OnSmash & NahRight
Raekwon
Styles P
OJ Da Juiceman
Wacka Flocka
Kidz in the Hall
Curren$y
Donnis
Pill
Emilio Rojas
Stalley
DJ Green Lantern

Drom
Presented by Brooklyn Bodega:
Hosted by Wes Jackson
6:00 – DJ Parler
7:00 – Those Chosen
7:20 – Kimberly Nichole
7:35 – Jesse Boykins III
7:55 – Diamond District
8:15 – Big Sean
8:35 – Pac Div
9:00 – DJ Parler
11:30 – Miz Metro
12:30 – Terry Poison
 
Thurs

 
B.B.King’s Blues Bar & Grill
Adiar Cor Presents A Celebration for Roc Raida
11:00
DJ Craze
DJ A-Trak
Rahzel & DJ JS 1
X-Ecutioners
Styles P & DJ Green Lantern
Sadat X
D.I.T.C.
Busta Rhymes

S.O.B.’s
Presented By Elitaste & Nue Agency
7:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Shawn Chrystopher
Freddie Gibbs
Pill
Brandon Hines
Camp Lo
2am Club
Theophilus London
Mike Posner & Big Sean
DJ Jesse Marco
Hosted by Jabari

Southpaw
Presented by Audible Treats
9:00 – Jern Eye
9:30- Illa J (J Dilla’s brother) & Frank Nitt
10:00 – Finale
10:30 – Oddisee
11:00 – Kam Moye aka Supastition
11:30 – Trinity (A.G., Sadat X, DJ Jab)
11:55 – Tanya Morgan
12:30 – Souls Of Mischief
DJ Keelay
 
Friday

 
B.B.King’s Blues Bar & Grill
11:30
The Foreign Exchange (Phonte & Nicolay) w/ YahZarah, Darien Brockington, Carlitta Durand, Zo! & The Els
 
Saturday

 
Gramercy Theater
Presented by Duck Down Records
8:00 – Da Beatminerz (DJ Evil Dee & Mister Walt)
9:00 – Team Facelift
9:20 – Skyzoo
9:45 – Marco Polo & Torae
10:10 – Blue Scholars
10:45 – Kidz In The Hall
11:20 – Rustee Juxx/Smif N Wessun/Sean Price/Heltah Skeltah/Buckshot as Boot Camp Clik

Uno de los sets del ‘99, perteneciente a DJ Craze. Pura magia, mezclando toques de Rahzel y su beatbox, Biz Markie y DJ Vadim entre otros. También, por si faltaba algo, introduce algo de DNB al final del vídeo. Imposible que no ganara.

This just proves that you can find the most fucked up shit at raves!

KILL THE NOISE – performing an intimate club show - 
one night only at Candys this Friday 4th of September.
One of New York’s finest, Kill the Noise is known for tight production, 
originality and the evolution of innovative ideas.
Punchy, enormous mixdowns along with attention to detail and dynamics make his sound instantly identifiable in any DJ’s set. 
The KTN sound has been embraced by both veterans and newer generations of artists and enthusiasts alike, 
earning support from a diverse selection of taste makers in the global electronic dance music community, such as: 

A-Trak of the famed Fool’s Gold Records, Chromeo, Franki Chan of IHeartComix, Tommy Sunshine, DJ Craze, DJ Klever, LA Riots, Scion Automotive Company, Juxtapoz Magazine, and BBC Radio 1. 

This year is already shaping up to be huge for Kill the Noise with a truckload of new material in the pipelines including a debut Album in the works, the ambitious and exciting joint venture with DJ Craze: “Slow Roast Records” and of course, a massive Australian & NZ tour, culminating in an exclusive club show at premier underground nightclub Candys Apartment.
It’s obvious that Kill the Noise is on a mission to prove the name to be true: Kill the noise, kill the production, kill the scene, and become one of the most influential production names out there

WHAT: KILL THE NOISE Fire & Hell Tour
WHO: Kill the Noise, Bloody Disco, Hey Now, TNT vs. Xerox, Blockrockers, Jackpop,
Slipperywhenwet, Heroes of the party, Dux Gutz vs Count Effectz Coopa

WHEN: Friday 4th Sept
WHERE: Candy’s Apartment – 22 Bayswater Rd Kings Cross

________________________________

Free Kill The noise Mix :
http://killnoisekill.blogspot.com/2009/08/turn-off-tune-in-volume-3.html
________________________________

DJ Craze doin’ what he does best!!

Enjoy!!

(^_^)

]]> http://tapedek.wordpress.com/2009/07/29/a-r-c-x-nike-dunk-high-%e2%80%9cblack-white-gum-bang%e2%80%9d-release/ Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:26:17 +0000 djtapedek http://tapedek.wordpress.com/2009/07/29/a-r-c-x-nike-dunk-high-%e2%80%9cblack-white-gum-bang%e2%80%9d-release/

This Saturday, August 1st, at 2pm, Alife Rivington Club is set to release the A.R.C. Nike Dunk High Supreme TZ. The all black A.R.C. Dunk High features a white Swoosh and a white A.R.C. seal on the heel. As with the A.R.C. AF1, the upper sits on a tonal midsole and gum colored outsole. Hidden within the shoe’s simple and classic upper design are technical features that enhance its functionality, most notably in the use of Schoeller technical fabrics and 0.44 sticky rubber outsole. The first 100 customers will receive a complimentary “Black, White, Gum & Bang!” T-shirt. For those who are not in the first 100, the shirt will also be available for purchase.

In celebration of this release, A.R.C. has invited world-renowned turntablist and scratch champion DJ Craze to host a reception open to all that purchase the A.R.C. Nike Dunk High. The Black, White, Gum & Bang! party will be hosted in A.R.C.’s own courtyard between 3 PM and 6 PM.

A.R.C. Sports
157 Rivington Street
New York, New York
212 253 0363

For the album release show, I’m featuring each band member during this upcoming show week! It has been so much fun interviewing the M.U.S.I.C. makers and getting deep into their musical heads and hearts! They are all ridiculously talented, intelligent, true artists and I’m honored to make M.U.S.I.C. with them! 

Today’s feature: Christian Gamez- DJ

Christian is BEYOND talented… an original dj and being… on the turntables he creates such a lovely blend of genres… he makes the crowd move and feel good… In addition to producing and creating his own music, he’s worked with Jason Mraz and Bushwalla. He contributed his creative skills greatly on Discombobulator, Dance with Me, and Lose Yourself  on M.U.S.I.C. I’m so excited he’s a part of our musical family

-what’s your 1^st musical memory?

1^st grade African rhythm class, I played percussion, we got to wear masks when we were performing which was cool cause I was shy.

-what’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened while you are on stage?

At a Bushwalla gig I dropped different pieces of my gear like 3 times cause I was intoxicated.

-what’s your ultimate dream in music?

Djing, producing with artistic integrity while reaching the masses.

-if you weren’t doing music what would you be doing?

Teaching elementary school. 

-songs that changed your life…

“Never Entered my Mind” by Miles Davis.

-most influential artists to you and why?

I’m just influenced by art in general. Many artists and songs inspire me. There’s not just one particular artist I’m mainly influenced by.

-what makes an amazing song?

Honesty.

-what’s your theme song?

Marvin Gaye “T Plays it Cool.”

-do you have musical nickname?

Bob Necksnapp

-what song were you most likely conceived to?

I don’t know but it was probably a cumbia.

-first concert you ever went to?

DJ Craze and DJ Qbert and it was a scratch show. I was the only person to get both their autographs. That show was sick.

-first album u ever bought?

I can’t remember the first album, the first single silk “freak me.”

-how can we revolutionize music? 

Real instruments and real intentions… make the focus less about money and more about art.

-indie or major (what’s the way to go?)

Neither, just create.

-what inspires you musically?

Art, women, and records. The challenges they all give me.

-what can an artist do (that you’re backing) to make your job easy and fun?

Organization.

-what’s your favorite song from the album?

“Lose Yourself” “Discombobulator” “Dance with Me”

-advice for up and coming djs”

Play what you like and keep practicing.

-what do you hope for the show?

I hope that everybody gets down… that they get off the wall and dance. 

listen to M.U.S.I.C. at www.myspace.com/andreebelle or www.andreebelle.com

Scratch DJ Academy

Inspired by the ‘A Good Day to be Black and Sexy’ Soundtrack. http://www.theblackandsexymovie.com/

Size: 117,9 MB Runtime: 01:23:59 Format: MP3 192 kbps

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0ZMGTWLW

The Red Bull Music Academy 2010 is going to be in London this year!

“From February 7 to March 12, 2010, some of the most original and creative minds in music will come together to share ideas, work on tunes, and perform in the best vibe-filled venues around town.”

The past locations have been Berlin, NY, Sao Paulo, Cape Town, Melbourne and Barcelona.

The Academy was formed for DJ’s, singers, musicians, engineers and other artists explore ideas, discuss techniques, and demonstrate styles in a collaborative environment.

The Application Phase kicks-off today (May 11, 2009)

Please get with me if you are interested in submitting an app. I will have the RBMA Rep send it straight to the reviewers.
There will be 60 participants chosen based off of a lengthy and quirky application that basically forces you to answer honestly.. And there are no wrong answers, you just have to be passionate and inspired by music. Thats it!

People from all corners are chosen, this is what makes RMBA an elite group to be a part of..

The likes of ?uestlove, Flying Lotus, DJ Premier, Bun B, Goldie, Dennis Coffey, DJ Craze, Prince Paul, Blu & Exile, Marcus Intalex, Bob Power, Chuck D, Oh No, Madlib, Aloe Blacc, Peanut Butter Wolf, M.I.A., Oddisee, Kardinal Offishall, Jake One, Nicolay, Babu, Just Blaze, Muhsinah, Joe Bataan, JRocc & Black Milk are all part of RBMA.

Here are some lectures to check out:
Waajeed
Chuck D
Nicolay
DJ Premier
Phonte
Blu & Exile

Look around the RBMA website and see if its your calling =)

Both DMC Champions, they naturally kill it with this routine. Is it really all about Traktor though? I think not.

Props to Speeakz

So for my first event of wmc 09, I checked out “Party worth blogging about” during the day ( Wed. 25th) arrived around 3pm’ish.

I never really got into the vibe, maybe its i got there late,cool setup tho. but i luckily i ran into a few of my peoplez or i woulda left. so i kicked it with bboy Xclu from Ground Zeroh Crew, Dj Louie Arson (from Keep It Gully) and Q. it wasnt bad its just that i expected a rowdier party vibe. errrbody was just kind mingling and walking around. I think it def. had to potential to turn into a no pants party. it was also breezy as fuck, it got miami cold but some peoples were still doin their thing in swimsuits. oh and right before we were about to depart i ran into Evan, she gave me a drank, called “poison”. very suitable name, its basically str8 vodka with red dye. I didn’t see Kill the Noize and my homeboys were upset cuz they didnt get to see Tittsworth. oh well.

I heard it cost hundreds of $ just to get a spot next to the pool, and about $1k to get a cabana?!?!?!
that there info reassured me that this was indeed a Bad Boys II scenario and that somewhere on that rooftop a massive coke deal was underway.

up next…

night time and a few dranks later.

“Bang Bang” @ white room was dope. I realized when Shy fx was on that i hadnt had my dnb fix in too long and that i needs it more often. I have an issue with crowded dance floors. If theres no room to move around during a jungle set, i dont see the point of being there at all. so we made room. i had fun tho, Benga, Plastician ripped it with dubstep. Drop the Lime too,heavy duty stuff. i missed Craze’s set.

I also missed B-Traits and that’s probly the only dj i REALLY wanted to see this year. Last year she caused quite a stir on ze’internets cuz nobody had really heard of her and she spun at ultra. and well,she fukkin ripped it! some dumbfucks thought she only got to where she is cuz shes cute. I dont care how she got to where she is (but she is co-signed by Shy FX ) but let it be known, shes dope as fuk. i saw her spin once more at the contagious show a few days later. shes a super sweet girl and knows what shes doin on the decks.
Soooo when i saw the flyer i thought it’d be a good idea to hook her up with one of my shirts. I also gave one to mc Tali, whom i hadnt seen perform live, ever. shes dope n shes really nice too. she was amped cuz she had just bought some kicks that matched the shirt =) Tali said she’d rock the shirt @ World of DnB. I didnt make it out but i hope she did.

We stopped by the fountainebleu for LMFAO around 3:30am ‘ish but that place was dead, for WMC thats really early. so basically we turned right back around to white room.
Thursday, i felt like hell.

and that was that.

More here

I’ve taken the liberty of removing some of the obscene filth from Max Cherry’s Ghettoblaster Mix Vol. III; no pun intended. Get the new and improved version here.

DJ Craze put a jump-up mix together for Bodytonic as well – wait, wasn’t he a hip-hop DJ a fortnight ago a drum’n'bass DJ last week? Regardless of what you might think about the fickle nature of his genre allegiance, he gots undeniably mad skills, honed way back when DJing actually… like… meant something… yeah? Download it here – and listen out for a tune featuring Ben “I’m allegedly averse to fidget house” Westbeech – or perhaps it’s just the Doppler effect from a passing gipsy ice-cream van.

Max Cherry’s (edited for excess puerility) Ghettoblaster Mix Vol. III

[download]

Tracklist:
No Idea – Help Appreciated

Bodytonic Podcast 029 – DJ Craze

Tracklist:
Crookers And Boy-8-Bit – The Crow
Machines Don’t Care – Beat Bang (Mujava Rmx) [Herve Re-Edit]
Kill The Noise – Roots
Edu K – Raver Lovin’ (Nadastrom Rmx)
Curses – The Deep End (Bart B More Rmx)
Hostage – Ain’t No Man
King Tech & Sway – Follow 4 Now
Little Jinder – I Like It Casual (Ac Slater Rmx)
Steed Lord – What You Do 2 Me (Jack Beats Rmx)
Red Light – Do It All Again Ft. Ben Westbeech
Kill The Noise & Foamo – Wrong For That
Aquasky – Me & You Ft. Butta Verses & Wizard Sleeve
Drop The Lime – Hear Me (Buraka Som Sistema Rmx)
AC Slater – Banger (Drop The Lime Rmx)
Caspa – The Terminator
Caspa & The Others – Well ‘Ard
AC Slater – Woah
Emalkay – Explicit
MRK1 – Borderline (Instrumental)
The Revolutionaries – Nuclear Bomb
12th Planet & Emu – Control (Skreamix)
Rhymefest – Coolness

For anyone unfortunate enough to have missed Fake Blood’s Essential Mix, you’d better RECTIFY.

Fake Blood Essential Mix

Tracklisting:
Hour One: The Club
Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip “Look For The Woman” (Fake Blood Mix)
Hatiras “The New Jam”
VV Brown “Leave!” (Style Of Eye Mix)
Knuckles “Loading”
Underworld “Ring Road” (Fake Blood Mix)
Touche “Vampires”
– w/ Frankie Bones & Lennie Dee “Just As Long As I Got You” Acapella
F#M “Riptide”
EDX “Casa Grande” (Robbie Rivera Mix)
Hot Chip “Touch Too Much” (Fake Blood Mix)
Mustard Pimp “Oh La La Satan” (Jay Robinson Mix)
– w/ Josh Wink “Superfreak” Acapella
Hatiras & Jelo “Donkey Punch”
Boy 8-Bit “Baltic Pine”
Walter Murphy “A 5th Of Beethoven” (Soulwax Edit)
– w/ A+ “Enjoy Yourself” Acapella
Malente & Daniel Dexter “Hyperactive”
– w/ Trick Daddy “Shut Up” Acapella
The Kills “Cheap And Cheerful” (Fake Blood Mix)
DJ Zinc “Blunt Edge”
– w/ Plez “I Can’t Stop” Acapella
Lazy Jay “Float My Boat”
Ink & Needle “Tattoo 3″
– w/ Scenario Rock “Skitzo Dancer” Acapella
Little Boots “Stuck On Repeat” (Fake Blood Mix)
Joachim Garraud “Are U Ready” (Roman Salzger Mix)
Vektorkat “End Run”
– w/ Daft Punk “Revolution 909″ (Roger Sanchez Mix) Acapella
Fake Blood “Mars” (Original / R!M!E Mix / Hatchmatik Mixes)
Electric Light Orchestra “Mr. Blue Sky” (Fake Edit)
– w/ Green Velvet “La La Land” Acapella

Hour Two: The Afterparty
Chateau Flight “Baroque”
Mike Monday “I Am Plankton”
Touche “Spectres”
Butch “Amelie”
Caro, Dapyk & Padberg “Island” feat. Caro (Noze Mix)
Simian Mobile Disco “Run Theme”
Lucio Aquilina “Magic M”
Monochrome “Pearl”
Whomadewho “The Plot” (Noze Mix)
Can “A Spectacle”
In Flagranti “Business Acumen” (Holy Ghost! cover version)
Stephan Bodzin and Marc Romboy “Puck”
– w/ X-Press 2 “Smoke Machine” Acapella
Touche “Zombies”
Giorgio “From Here To Eternity”
Pylon “Cool”
– w/ LCD Soundsystem “Yeah” Acapella
Knuckles “Targus”
Lorenz Rhode “Antidote”
Battle Sequencer “Fish Fingers Part II”
Radiohead “Reckoner” (Diplo Mix)
Seventeen Evergreen “Music Is The Wine” (Joakim Dub)
Bent “To Be Loved”
Fad Gadget “Coitus Interruptus”
David Rubato “Circuit”

DJ Craze with the Trouble & Bass Crew (The Captain, Drop the Lime, Betty Black)

Studio B Brooklyn – 2/13/09

The Trouble & Bass Crew rocked their second annual ‘Death Prom’ Valentine’s day party last night at Studio B in Greenpoint, bringing in Miami’s hometown hero and 3 time DMC World Champion DJ Craze.

DJ CRAZE

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Craze is like a Shaolin master of turntablism. He spent most of the late nineties letting the hip hop world know how ri-donkulosly sick he is at scratching and battling, but once you win the DMC World championship 3 times in a row, what do you do after that? It’s like Lance Armstrong- how many times does that guy need to win the Tour de France?

I had heard his sets can be anything from pure turntablism to Miami bass to drum and bass. And I must say, last night DJ Craze spanned genres to blend together all things bass-heavy. The first 45 min or so, he threw on a lot Baltimore & Miami Bass uptempo club bangers. Once or twice he couldn’t resist the urge to beat juggle the shit out of some club jams, but like a true jedi knew to keep the juggling to a minimum as the party people wanted to dance.

Then out of nowhere he entered into a pure dubstep bonananza for a good half hour. I must say that the Studio B soundsystem had my arm hairs vibrating and I kept on yelling ‘Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhit!!!!” over and over again. Then all my wildest dreams came true when he dropped vintage Barrington Levy dancehall ‘Murderer.’ No remixes, just the pure old school shit. That was my homies’ theme song back when we were 17- we’d throw Barrington on in a car with all the windows rolled up and the bass knob turned up to 11. So good.

Next Craze drops ‘Luchini‘ by Camp Lo, giving shout outs on the mic to NYC to a bunch of Brooklynites who probably had never heard of Camp Lo, but it was still awesome. Then he dropped ‘No No No‘ by Dawn Penn.  Joygasms. Had all my reggae dreams come true? I continued to yell ‘Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh Shhhhhhiiiiiiiiiit!!!!’ over and over again. Then he started playing Roots Manuva and I lost it. At some point I found a sharpie on the dancefloor and started making notes to myself on my hand about his set. My only complaint is that Craze would occasionally suffer from DJ ADD, where he would drop a track but only play 8 bars of it, then mix into something else. Come on Craze, just let the song play!

All in all, Craze is still rocking parties proper, spanning genres for skull rattling bass and making Miami proud.

DROP THE LIME (TROUBLE & BASS CREW)

Fronted by The Captain, Drop the Lime played a live set of truly genre bending music. Each song they played would span 6 different genres. It would start out kinda dance-punky, then they would go into thrashy metal stuff for a few meausures, then play a few measure of straight dub-step, then go back into the dance punky stuff, then rock and roll – all in the course of one song. There were moments where I wasn’t really sure what to do with myself from measure to measure, but for the most part they had the entire dancefloor rocking and gave a thoroughly enjoyable set. In a way it makes sense as the whole Treble & Bass crew is highly involved with XCLR8R magazine, so I am guessing they are exposed to a lot of different sounds on a regular basis.

Also, they were dressed as zombies, given that the theme of the night was ‘Death Prom.’ So they get extra points for zombie garb.

BETTY BLACK (TROUBLE & BASS CREW)

Playing early on in the evening, Betty Black gave a live vocal performance to pre-recorded beats. It was basically Portishead-y vocals over dubstep, but performed in this ‘air of mystique’ sort of way. The entire time she stood with her face in the shadows  and a spotlight on her lime-green tights. It was like dub step cabaret. Mystery! Excitement! Beats! Green Tights!

DEATH PROM?

Also on the agenda for the evening was ‘Death Prom’ which we took to mean, ‘come to the party dressed like a zombie.’ So we came zombied out with full zombie gear- fake blood, black eyes, white faces, etc. But, no one else in Brooklyn really got that memo so we spent the evening as ‘Those Guys.’ But I must say that I was digging the no bullshit, I-came-here-in-a-t-shirt-and-jeans group that graced Studio B with its presence, that came to dance and rock out. Yes Studio B. Yes.

–DJ Rex Manning Day

What the heck. It’s been a good 1 ½ years since my last trip to Beijing. I even skipped
the good ol’ ympics and all that jazz, so I was not aware HOW MUCH it actually changed
since my last visit. Terminal 3 aka the new mega star wars airport, everything so much cleaner, someone sucked away 50% of the smog etc. etc.. Wowz.

Lucky me was invited to spin tunes at the launch party of ONEDREAMRUSH,
a short film Project about 42 42-second short films
from 42 World class independent film creators like Harmony Korine, Asia Argento,
David Lynch, Zhang Yuan and 38 more heavyweight names.
The strictly invite-only event was held at PUNK, one of the Bars in
Beijing’s new 6* Boutique Hotel The Opposite House.

Anyhow, so I arrived in Beijing late night of last Wednesday, and made my way to
the aforesaid hotel which provided me with shelter during my stay in Beijing.
Posh as can be but very minimalist and stylish, so I felt like home immediately
and fell asleep like a puppy dog on mother’s milk.
Yes that is a wooden bathtub in the front.

Next morning I decided to stroll around in the neighborhood after
squeezing some pancakes into my freshly showered face.

I went for a walk on this perfectly blue skied day and got offered ridiculous amounts of watchbagdvd on my hunt for some fresh Kpapas and Pamus in one of
Beijings massive indoor markets.

Back to the hotel for a hourlong powernap and a shower with no showercap,
and off to the elevator I was to head to the basement floor for soundcheck.

My tag team DJ partner for the night was no one less than the People’s Republic’s Number 1 DJ,
3 x China DMC Champion and homeboy DJ Wordy, all in 1.
As the venue and the partypeople slowly started to fill up,

we started rocking the spot back to back on 4 decks for the high snobiety.
Majority of the crowd actually wasn’t all that snobby
but stylish, thankful, open minded and very enthusiastic about good tunes!

Out of the blue, a fresh bottle of bubbly made it’s way to the DJ booth.

Next day homeslice Wordy picked me up at the hotel, insisting on having noodles for breakfast. Stupid me was like “Nah wtf, noodles for hangover breakfast?!”, but I shoulda known better. Through grimey alleys and staircases he took me to this tiny hidden noodles spot,
one of those ones where you have to ring the doorbell of an inconspicious door to get in.
And oh joy were my taste buds happy. Best noodles EVER.

The Wordyman gave me a lift to the airport to catch my flight to Hong Kong,
where I was supposed to play at Alivenotdead.com’s Halloween festivities.
Went to the check-in 55 min. prior to departure humming joyous melodies,
till the fact that Air China won’t let me check in made me hush from one second to the other.
“60 min. policy, Sir.”
Ouch. I admit, showing up 1h before departure for intl. flights is a no go.
But that’s how I do and I NEVER MISS FLIGHTS. Ok, maybe once (twice?). Ah well..
To be completely honest with y’all, this was the 3rd time, out of 5 gazillion flights.
Assertive but charmingly I argued my way to the manager, but it was all hopeless,
even though I didn’t even have bags to check in! Major pain in the ass.
Been on standby for the next flight to HK, but it didn’t quite work out.
Tried getting a seat on a aero to Shenzhen or Zhuhai to make it to HK in time for my gig- NOTHING. In the end I’ve spent 6 hours at the airport, making phonecalls and trying to
save the night. Eventually I had homebruv DJ Enso replacing me in HK ,so I headed back downtown, spontaneously deciding to extend my Beijing stay for 2 more days/nights.
The Opposite House was kind enough to let me stay 2 more nights, and Beijing had some good nightlife action to offer on Friday/Saturday, so things weren’t all THAT horrible for me in the end.

Me on the phone from the cab: “Yo Wordy, it’s me. I’m still in Beijing.”
Wordy: “WTF?!”
Me: “Yep. Missed my flight. And no chance to make it to HK in time for my gig..”
Wordy: “Awesome! Let’s go see DJ Craze tonite!”
Me: “WTF. Word, Wordy.”

To my joy, homeboy/legend and Kanye West’s tour DJ CRAZE was in town.
For those of you who don’t know DJ Craze, he’s 3 times DMC World champion, a true legend and the hell of a World class turntablist, making even me look like a bloody bedroom DJ,
no matter my World titles.
He has changed the game forever with his 1998 winning routine
(Well, the 1999 and 2000 ones too)(<—WATCH ALL THOSE!!!),
and has been a HUGE inspiration for me ever since I got on this shit.
Wordy and me, being the antisocial nerds that we are, kicked it in the DJ booth all nite,
while Crazearoni KILLED it.

Main reason for Craze for being in the Jing was his new employer Kanye playing
his China debut show the next day at the “Beijing Worker’s Gymnasium”.

We had chances and hopes to see the rehearsal before the show, but as strict as
Mr. Kanyeezy is, he finally didn’t want ANYONE except the crew around for the rehearsal.
We had free tickets for the show though, and we ain’t mad at all.
The show was aight, however, the last 15 minutes of it were
PRETTY FUCKING GOOD.

It was a seated concert (!), and the securities constantly advised the people to sit down,
which made the whole thing kinda awkward. Also, censorship was a must
(“I ain’t saying she’s a gold digger, but she ain’t messin’ with no broke, broke”).
Well that’s China, innit.

After swapping some choons with Wordy the next afternoon,
I managed to make it to the check in counter 90 MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.
The flight turned out to be delayed, packed to the ceiling, shaky and tight.
On top of that, peeps were burping and farting like there’s no tomorrow.
So it was quite a party, let me tell y’all that!
I’m out. G’nite.